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Articles by ABC Gippsland
Foster locals say inefficient waterway maintenance resulted in homes flooding
A tree that locals says contributed to one house being completely flooded and another badly damaged is at the centre of a bureaucratic dispute over who is responsible for it. Stockyard Creek at Foster in South Gippsland, eastern Victoria, flooded earlier in July after the area received 79 millimetres of rain over a 24-hour period. Foster locals Geoff and Shirley McCraw were woken by police door-knocking in the area to find their Boyd Court home flooded with up to 15 centimetres of water.
Gippsland hospital bans midwife Angela Kellock over patient care dispute
A banned private midwife at the centre of a dispute with a Gippsland hospital has lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, claiming there is a collective boycott against her. Midwife Angela Kellock worked at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service until earlier this year, when she resigned to start a private practice.
Gippsland wildlife carer plans Victoria-first koala hospital and burns unit
A Victorian koala refuge is planning to open the first purpose-built koala hospital and burns unit in the state. The hospital, to be established at the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter in Rawson in the Gippsland region, will help carers give round-the-clock care to the animals — particularly during bushfires. Colleen Wood started the shelter 22 years ago and since then she has cared for hundreds of animals, including 'Sam the koala', which become an icon following the Black Saturday bushfires.
Gippsland teacher joins nature discovery program on Coral Sea islands
A female-only gecko species, a spider that spits venom on to its prey and 50 different types of moths were among a number of species found on remote islands in the Coral Sea, off north-eastern Australia. Science teacher Shellie Cashmore from Gippsland, in eastern Victoria, was one of two teachers chosen nationally to join a team of scientists on a 10-day expedition to the Coral Sea where they mapped the biodiversity of four islands, about 450 kilometres off the coast from Cairns.
Counting the cost of climate change off Gippsland's coast
Small rises in water temperatures have had a big effect on one of eastern Victoria's protected marine parks. The Beware Reef, off the coast of Cape Conran, is home to hundreds of species but researchers are concerned that climate change has thrown it out of balance. The Friends of Beware Reef's president Don Love said one of the biggest changes was the "explosion" in numbers of long-spined sea urchins. "This used to be one of the gun spots for getting crayfish," he said.
Hazelwood mine operators 'categorically' deny decision has been made about Morwell future
The operators of the Hazelwood brown coal mine in Victoria's east, have been forced to "categorically" deny any decision has been made over its future at a community forum. About 100 people turned out to hear mine operator ENGIE discuss issues, including transitioning towards renewable energy and rehabilitation of the mine after the 2014 mine fires blanketed Morwell in thick acrid smoke and sparked health concerns among Latrobe Valley communities.
Seagrass down but coming back to Gippsland Lakes
A study of the Gippsland Lakes has revealed areas previously devoid of seagrass have come back to life. Scientists from Monash and Melbourne universities have been working with the Arthur Rylah Institute to investigate seagrass in the lakes and compare it to the last comprehensive study that was done in 1997. While overall levels of seagrass have declined over the past 19 years, a comparison of aerial photographs from 2013 and 2016 show some areas are coming back.
Regional Victorian town hosts language classes for migrant women new to Gippsland
It is the first time Tahira Tasmeen, 54, has ever read or written anything; the mother of five has never been to school. Ms Tasmeen is an Amadi Muslim who fled persecution in Pakistan to make a new life in Australia. Now for the first time, she is learning skills that nearly all Australians take for granted. "I have been in Australia 15 months. It is beautiful, people wonderful," she said. Ms Tasmeen's English is slowly improving and she said she believed education was important.
Radiation technology enables fast, efficient treatment for Gippsland cancer patients
In the last 10 years, radiotherapy treatments for early stage cancers have become more efficient, with less side effects. Gippsland's Radiation Oncology facility at the Latrobe Regional Hospital, services between 30 to 50 mainly breast and prostate patients with radiation therapy each day. Modern linear accelerator [LINAC] machines enable patients to receive a highly targeted dose of cancer cell killing radiation to a cancer affected area of the body quickly and painlessly.
Victorian alpine village Dinner Plain celebrates 30 years young
Thirty years ago Peter McIntyre designed the Victorian alpine village of Dinner Plain — it was the first time a town had been created since the gold rush. At the time, when Mr McIntyre stayed in a caravan in the high country surveying the area, it did not occur to him that he was building a new town from scratch. But the enormity of that task is being celebrated this weekend, as the town celebrates its 30 year anniversary.
Victorian Government funding cut prompts Gippsland Carers to decrease face-to-face support
A Gippsland carers' support group has cut back on face-to-face help for unpaid carers, after a Victorian Government funding cut. The move has prompted calls for all levels of government to increase support for unpaid carers. The Gippsland Carers Association had previously received $100,000 over four years to pay for an administration worker, but that was cut by the state Labor Government in November.
Hepatitis A warning issued after supermarket deli worker in Yarram diagnosed
Shoppers who have purchased fresh food from a Foodworks in Yarram, in eastern Victoria, have been told to throw it out after deli worker was diagnosed with hepatitis A. The manager of the regional supermarket where the staff member was diagnosed said the store was being decontaminated. Victorian chief health officer Charles Guest said deli items and fresh fruit and vegetables should be discarded.
Accommodation providers welcome Victorian Government, Airbnb disaster deal
A deal allowing Airbnb to work with hosts who want to provide free accommodation to residents affected by emergencies has been welcomed by Victorian accommodation providers. Premier Daniel Andrews signed off on the agreement with Airbnb at the company's San Francisco headquarters, as part of his official US tour.
McMillan debate covers power generation, education and public transport
Candidates vying for the federal seat of McMillan have gone head-to-head over the future of power generation, education and public transport at a forum in Warragul. The federal seat of McMillan stretches from the eastern Melbourne suburb of Pakenham to Moe in the Latrobe Valley and encompasses South Gippsland. Liberal MP Russell Broadbent has held the seat since 2004. The event hosted by the Warragul Business Group saw four McMillan candidates answer questions about the future of the region.
Gippsland beef producer Rohan Bingley transitions to dairy amid milk crisis
Victorian farmer Rohan Bingley has wanted to be a dairy farmer for decades. Yet despite the ongoing milk price crisis, it's a dream that is set to become a reality for the beef producer from Goon Nure in east Gippsland. "For me, I had no emotion involved in it. I was looking at it from the business side of things," he said.
Gippsland theatre bus makes its last trip after women spend 34 years organising
From the rural town of Heyfield, in eastern Victoria, to Melbourne's Spring Street is a 200-kilometre one-way trip. It is a journey Val Lawson and Leslie Fitzpatrick know well, having travelled those roads for 34 years. A love of the theatre saw these good friends share their passion with others. They have organised charity bus trips, to transport fellow thespians to shows in Melbourne and even further afield to Canberra, Sydney and Queensland.
Engie Australia denies reports Hazelwood brown-coal mine, in Gippsland's Latrobe Valley, will close
The Hazelwood mine operator Engie is playing down suggestions the Latrobe Valley brown-coal power station will be shut down. The company's chief executive Isabelle Kocher has told a French senate committee in Paris yesterday it was considering all possible scenarios for Hazelwood, including selling up or closing it down. In a statement, a spokesman for Engie Australia said no decision had been made about its future.
Giant Gippsland earthworm set to gain extra protection as council changes planning scheme
Local councils in Gippsland are moving to protect the habitat of the region's rare and protected giant earthworm. A small area of west and south Gippsland, east of Melbourne, is the only remaining place where the giant Gippsland earthworm, a state and federal protected species, can be found. Expanding housing developments are threatening the earthworm, with experts hearing anecdotal evidence of a population decline.
Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival in South Gippsland mixes the traditional with the quirky
'Exuberant whimsy' is just one of the categories participants can enter in the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival. The festival, which attracted 160 exhibits in its third outing at the weekend, draws on both traditional and contemporary craft skills. The showcase of the festival is the tea cosy exhibition, which showcases the winners from open and junior competitions across traditional, aquatic and exuberant whimsy categories.
Author Rosalie Ham calls for diversity in rural storytelling, after success of The Dressmaker
In the popular novel The Dressmaker, recently adapted to film, the shopkeeper's daughter Gertrude Pratt pins her hopes on 'marrying up'; she targets a man on the land. Dungatar, the community at the centre of the novel is a dry, dusty wheatbelt town, the setting for small-minded characters to band together and reject what they don't know.
Performance artists bring unusual movement theatrical work to Cowwarr, Gippsland
Taking time out of a usual day-to-day pattern, and finding space to create, is exactly the idea of an artists-in-residence program. At central Gippsland's Cowwarr ArtSpace a former butter factory now operates as a gallery. The owners use their space to help other artists generate ideas. The latest artists in residence are Callous Physical Theatre company directors Joséphine Garibaldi and Paul Zmolek, from Florida.
Victorian parents' support groups save prams, cots and car seats from landfill
Victorian parents' support groups are saving millions of dollars worth of prams, cots and car seats from landfill. Lots of baby rearing equipment cannot be donated to opportunity shops, as the area is heavily regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. This is to ensure that second-hand goods that are passed onto families meet Australian safety standards.
Eviction of caravan park residents highlights rental affordability issues in Victoria
The number of people living in caravan parks in Victoria is a reflection on housing and rental affordability, according to the Tenants Union of Victoria. Policy officer Yaelle Caspi said even in regional areas, it could be difficult for people to access the rental market. Ms Caspi made the comments as Wellington Shire Council in Gippsland moved to evict a group of permanent residents from Maffra Caravan Park.
Australia's oldest female triathlete Karla McKinlay heading back to Ironman World Championships
Karla McKinlay is not simply fit and healthy; she is an extremely determined 70-year-old — and Australia's oldest female triathlete. On the walls of her home in the central Gippsland town of Maffra, is a whiteboard broken down into columns, outlining her goals, and the time frames to achieve them. Alongside the words 'share my experiences' and 'sort my photos' is 'win age group in Kona'.
Labor searches for new Gippsland candidate after teacher Carolyne Boothman withdraws
The Labor Party is searching for a new candidate to contest the seat of Gippsland in the Federal election, after the withdrawal of Carolyne Boothman. Ms Boothman has pulled out, after discovering she would have to quit her position as teacher at Morwell Primary School in the Latrobe Valley. Under the constitution, public servants have to resign if nominating for the House of Representatives and Senate.
Kurnai Young Parents' Program graduates: where are they now?
Having a child at high school might feel like the end of one pathway, and the start of a completely different set of experiences. For teenagers with children, educational outcomes can be difficult. That is where a program for young parents in Morwell, in Gippsland's Latrobe Valley, comes into play. Kurnai Young Parents' Program graduate Geneva Tomkins is now saving to buy a house. She works full time in aged care to support her family, an outcome she credits to the program.
Niche Victorian fishery Corner Inlet has commercial and recreational fishers at loggerheads
It's merely hours from when Corner Inlet fisherman Neville Clark lands his daily catch to when it sells at market. "The fish we keep for market go straight into the ice slurry," said the fisherman from Victoria's Gippsland region. "They are beautifully chilled by the time we get home to port, then we sort into the fish boxes and they are iced down ready for market. They are sold the next morning at 4am.
Globetrotting shearwaters start huge migration from Phillip Island to northern hemisphere
If you were to compare the short-tailed shearwater to an athlete, it would be a marathon runner rather than a sprinter. The migratory birds can fly thousands of kilometres, from the southern hemisphere to the north. But while it is good at long distance, take-off poses difficulties. That is where the 'Shearwater Rescue Patrol' comes in.
RAAF Base East Sale holds Freedom of Entry parade
Blue skies and applause welcomed more than 200 Air Force and Navy personnel marching down the main street of Sale, in Victoria's Gippsland, in a tradition dating to medieval times. Dressed in full military uniform and accompanied by the air force band, the Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) Base East Sale marched through the city exercising their Freedom of Entry for the first time in 15 years.
Backlash prompts Gippsland council to back down on plans to restrict recreational vehicle use on private property
A Gippsland council has backed down on a proposal to restrict the use of recreational vehicles on private property after a huge outcry from residents. The public gallery was full at Latrobe City Council's Monday night meeting in Morwell, where councillors heard from speakers against the changes to local laws. The council received 368 objections against the proposal and there was also a petition received containing 478 signatures.
Stranded dolphin rescued by three students on Phillip Island beach in Victoria
Three students worked for about two hours to save a stranded 1.5 metre-long dolphin that became stranded near rocks at Cape Woolmai beach, on Phillip Island beach this week. The year 12 students kept the animal hydrated before others came to help. Newhaven Vet Clinic veterinarian Jenny Hibble said the dolphin would not have survived without the quick actions of the girls. "They did really well," Dr Hibble said in praise of the girls. "Then I came along as it was in the shallow water.
Drouin West Primary School teaches students emotional intelligence
Students at Drouin West Primary School attend regular classes such as English and maths, but since the start of term one, they are learning emotional intelligence as well. A new course guides students aged 9 to 12 to identify emotions, what causes them, how to deal with certain feelings and practicing restraint. Teacher Alesha Bills created the unit after noticing students were not controlling their emotions as well as they could be.
Organic farmers invite public to 'Day on the Farm' to see how their food is grown
How and where our food is grown is increasingly important to consumers, so understanding the origins of fresh produce is gaining momentum with on-farm visits. Organic farmers Liz Clay and Wally Brown are inviting the public onto their farm in Noojee to experience growing food — and eating it too.
Bass Coast Shire Council takes to Facebook to connect with young people
The Bass Coast Shire Council has launched a Facebook page dedicated to youth and discussing the issues they face. The Facebook page, Bass Coast Youth, was initially launched to share the Youth Action Plan but has grown to share resources and engage with the shire's young residents. The Youth Action Plan was developed over a year after surveying 835 young people aged 12 to 25 on their priorities, issues and desires.
Gunai Kurnai art takes centre stage in new East Gippsland art show
In a first of its kind, a local Aboriginal art show is being created in partnership with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and the Rotary Club of Lakes Entrance. The art show will be showcasing a variety of traditional artworks, from possum skin cloaks, woven baskets and paintings.
In The Game: New program encourages multicultural youth to join local sports teams
A new program is helping young multicultural people get involved in local sports teams, with skill development and cultural competency training for sporting clubs. The program, In The Game, was developed by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) and AFL Gippsland with the aim to have a more inclusive sports sector, reflecting the increasingly multicultural community in Gippsland.
Sale Floral Art Group gears up for Melbourne Flower Show exhibition
From humble beginnings and monthly meetings 30 years ago, a small group of women is now representing Australia in Melbourne's International Flower and Garden Show. Barb Harper was one of the founding members of the Sale Floral Art Group. "It's a group where we can teach and learn and share together," she said.
Students don wigs and uniforms in culpable driving courtroom education program
Gippsland Central Legal Centre is partnering with The National Trust of Victoria to deliver an education program set in courtrooms to teach students about culpable driving. The courtroom drama model originated in the Old Melbourne Gaol, delivered by The National Trust of Victoria, recreating historical trials such as Ned Kelly and Elizabeth Scott, the first woman hanged in Victoria in 1863.
Gippsland jeweller makes pieces out of metal traditionally used in samurai sword handles
Gippsland contemporary jeweller Jill Hermans started working with the metal shibuichi at university, and now her designs using the metal are a popular choice with locals. Working in a sunny studio in her home in Clifton Creek, Ms Hermans bends over her desk with her solar-powered tools to create earrings, necklaces, brooches and rings. Her jewellery aesthetic is unique, yet minimal — a deliberate choice in showcasing her chosen metal's natural qualities. "I use simple shapes.
Victorian police fire 'non-lethal' rounds at drug-affected man in Gippsland as crowd watches
A crowd gathered in Gippsland as Victorian police fired shots at a drug-affected man during a siege at a house in Traralgon on Thursday night. Police were called to the house on Crosses Road with reports a man was armed with knives. Inspector Dean Thomas said local police called the dog squad and critical response team from Melbourne. "Police tried to negotiate with the male but that failed, the male was armed with a knife and was very threatening to police," he said.
Wind turbines to get new life in Wonthaggi playground
A wind turbine blade playground will be created at Wonthaggi, south-east of Melbourne. The Bass Coast Council will construct what it hopes will become a destination playground, using two 42-metre decommissioned wind turbine blades. The council was given the blades for free from Senvion Australia, the company that owns the Wonthaggi wind farm, and said the playground would be a first in Australia.
Construction starts on new Esso pipeline in Gippsland
The construction of a $400 million Esso Australia pipeline near Rosedale has started, replacing the existing pipeline that has been transporting crude oil and condensate from Longford to Long Island Point since 1969. The original pipeline was partially replaced in 1980, but according to Esso Australia, is nearing the end of its "operational life". The replacement pipeline will be 187km long and will take two years to complete.
Taking control: A Gippsland mother shares life experiences to help others
For Gippsland mother of three Leah Mether, life's bumpy road seemed impossible at times, but a change of perspective smoothed it out and now she is trying to help others take control of their lives. "Like all people my story isn't special. Like all people I've faced challenges in my life," she said. Her battle with mental and physical health started in her teenage years. "Like most young women I hit puberty and put on a bit of weight," Mrs Mether said.
Camel beach rides more than meets the eye in East Gippsland
Beach camel rides have become a new attraction in Lakes Entrance, but for owners Russell Osborne and Tara Lea, the camels are more just than a tourist attraction. Mr Osborne's first encounter with camels was a product of spontaneity and impulse decision making. "I was lecturing at a university on the Gold Coast and my mother passed away. She did a lot of charity work for the Royal Children's Hospital … so I decided I was going to do something for a charity including kids," he said.
Federation University uses research grants to close gaps
With three research grants totalling $450,000, Federation University will be exploring how students from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds succeed at university, to improve opportunities for future students. At Federation University's Churchill campus, 33 per cent of the student cohort come from low socio-economic backgrounds — a figure that somewhat surprises Professor Marcia Devlin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Quality.
No more tears: Dads learn how to style daughters' hair in community class
Fathers navigated hair ties, ribbons and plaits in their first class learning how to style their daughter's hair. The class was the first of its kind at the Morwell Neighbourhood House, conceived after a conversation with a floundering grandparent. Tracie Lund, Morwell Neighbourhood House coordinator, was speaking with her neighbour one day about styling young girl's hair. "My neighbour, he's found himself in a position where he's a primary carer of his grandchildren.
Indigenous prisoners allowed to sell artworks while incarcerated, under new Victorian policy
Indigenous men and women are now allowed to sell their artwork while incarcerated, under a new policy announced by the Victorian Government. The Aboriginal Arts Policy Model aims to reconnect Indigenous prisoners with their culture and community. The State Government's decision comes after a joint effort between the Department of Corrections and The Torch, an organisation working to encourage Indigenous offenders to learn more about their history and culture while incarcerated.
Social inclusion for Gippslanders living with a disability
Phillip Chalker is a legally blind musician with an effervescent personality and bright smile, but he can find it hard to make friends and connect with others. Based in Traralgon, most of Mr Chalker's social activities revolve around music. "I'm a singer songwriter, community music writer and ukulele teacher — but I'm interested in bringing the community together via a social group once a month," he said. "I sit back and wonder how many people are isolated ...
Boolarra quilting group continues to provide bushfire support
After the 2009 bushfires, a quilting group was formed in the small township of Boolarra, in Victoria's Gippsland, to create a bushfire quilt. Seven years on, the group is still operating, with women constantly signing up to the craft group for a hobby, a chat, a cup of tea. When the fires came to Boolarra, it was a day unlike any other. "It was just like nothing I've ever seen before," Linda Minter said.
How street art is rejuvenating a town and engaging children in Morwell
Ryan Beckett was interested in hip hop and graffiti from a young age, but after run-ins with the law because of his spray painting, he now wants to engage young children in street art for its power to cultivate creativity. "I grew up not playing sport, not interested in what Gippsland had to offer. Me and my friends were always artistic, got into hip hop culture, skateboarding and graffiti," he said.
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